Branson Tractors

dkb1215 · Jan 17, 2003

Dave, I agreed with you on the F-series and the older ones are mechanically easiler to repair. My older brother said I was born with ten thumbs when it came to mechanial matters and I have to agreed with him. A older tractor and some older cars I owned would nickel and dime me to death. Most tractor dealers make more money on used tractors than new tractors and the price will rise as there reputation increases. From a resell point it would have been better to buy a new JD, NH or Kubota. But I plan on handing down this tractor to my son, who will be soon big enough to mow the neighbors five acres lots for his college fund. He and my 3 year old daughter like to ride on it as much as I do.

Cheers,

db

pruntyc · Jan 17, 2003

I don't believe you can really say a Yanmar will nickel and dime you to death. It's true it may have some small things, that will need repair, but not that much, or that often. If that had have been a fact, I would never have bought one, as I'm getting too old to want to repair them a lot. I don't have anyone to help me do it, so I have to do all it by myself or hire it done. So I bought Yanmar, because it don't need that much done to it. Let's be fair about it, if you want a higher priced tractor, or a new one, fine, but it dont' mean the other ones are less of a buy.

Anonymous Poster · Jan 17, 2003

Yanmar tractors represent a good buy for the person who doesn't want to spend 20-25,000 for a tractor with loader and implements. Because of the high prices of the new American models, the used ones stay higher in price. Because there is less support, and an abundant supply, the grey market tractors fill the gap. If Bransons are good tractors and last, then used ones will clearly compete with the grey market tractors. If they don't last, or prices rise, then the yanmars and other gray's will stay around.

LMTC · Jan 18, 2003

Of course used tractors are less than new ones, and the Yanmars are probably THE "Best Buy" category for used compacts. With that said, when you start spending 10k for a 30+ HP unit with a new Koyker loader...and I'm talking about an exceptionally nice machine...some folks think a new unit with full warranty and current features is worth an additional $4-5k. How much you can afford is certainly a major factor. My personal opinion (possibly worth less than the $.02 offered above by Dave

is that the under-25HP Yanmars (yes, 25 is a completely arbitrary number) can't be touched for value (cost/usefulness ratio). When you get bigger, they do have some competition for value. The Branson is a very nice machine. A Branson 3510 can be had with front loader (and there is NO comparison between this loader and the Koyker 160 used on 28+ hp Yanmars by many dealers--the BL10 is vastly superior), 5' rotary cutter, 5' box blade, PH digger w/9" auger for $16,140 at a not-to-be-mentioned dealer in the midwest, 45 miles NE of Cincinnati. That's not a bad package, nor a bad price. (OK...I apologize for the obviously gratuitous advertising). But the gray market, and particularly the Yanmars, will be around as long as there is supply. The Kubota import ban of some years ago may be the best thing to happen to this market.

lmorris2002 · Jul 13, 2012

Do you have any tie rods for these tractors? We have a Century 3045. Thanks.

clemsonfor · Jul 14, 2012

WHAT!! This post is 9 years old!! i hope you find it, but you would have better luck in the branson model forum, or either starting a new thread in repair forum. Your new here so you may not realize that its been something like 2 years at least a year and a half since that member has posted in this forum (LMTC) he may still visit the site as a whole just does NOT post in the yanmar forum!!

Plus i think he is out of the parts business as a whole, i know hes out of the tractor selling end of it.

lmorris2002 · Jul 14, 2012

Thanks. Never know unless you ask.

clemsonfor · Jul 14, 2012

I actually dont know if your talking about LMTC or the second guy to respond to the thread that said something about Bransons?

lmorris2002 · Jul 14, 2012

At this point I'll take anyone who wants to respond. Just trying to figure out what the Branson tractor # would be equivalent to my 3045.

California · Jul 14, 2012

I was going to suggest the Branson forum but I see you already posted there. If you don't get a answer then reading old posts in that forum might suggest a knowledgeable dealer.

If all you need is a tie rod, could another off a truck etc be used in place of the original one? That doesn't seem like a complex part.